Recommended for you
Few cocktails are more refreshing than the classic mint julep—but did you know it was also used for medicinal purposes back in the day? Talk about a spoonful of sugar!
While I can’t really claim that any cocktail is truly “healthy,” this version does contain fresh ginger, mint lemon, and agave syrup, which could easily be included in a healthy smoothie. The traditional mint julep is made with bourbon. Here, I’ve swapped bourbon for tequila!
Fresh ginger, for all its good qualities, can have quite a spicy kick to it, so tread carefully and only add as much as you can handle. You need to treat the fresh mint leaves with a bit of TLC, too. Gently bruise them to release their aromatic oils.
Read on for the full tequila mint julep recipe!
Ingredients for tequila mint julep
Brit + Co
- 5-10 fresh mint leaves (reserve 1 for garnish)
- 2 ounces reposado tequila
- Small piece of fresh ginger
- 1 Tablespoon agave syrup
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 large handfuls fresh ice (or crushed ice)
Instructions for tequila mint julep
Brit + Co
1. Put the ice cubes into a blender and blitz until finely crushed. Alternatively, buy a bag of crushed ice.
2. Peel the ginger and use a box grater to grate it finely.
Brit + Co
3. Squeeze the ginger in your hand to release the juice into a clean glass.
4. Add the lemon juice and pour in the agave syrup.
Brit + Co
5. Add the mint leaves and gently bruise with a muddling spoon or a clean rolling pin.
Brit + Co
6. Pour in the tequila and stir.
Brit + Co
7. Add enough crushed ice to fill the glass just below the rim and stir again.
8. Thread a mint leaf through a cocktail stick to garnish, and add a straw. Happy sipping!
Subscribe to our newsletter for more delicious cocktail recipes!
This post has been updated.
